Alexander Zverev’s 2023 US Open campaign was halted by Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals. He surrendered in straight sets, after which he pointed out the specific moments where he fell behind. He admitted he thought the match would be more competitive before it slipped out of his hands.
Before the final four clash, Zverev had battled Jannik Sinner for nearly five hours in a see-saw round of 16. The toll it took was visible in the former US Open finalist’s performance, as he looked drained and weary. He also admitted in his press conference that Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are the only ones who can match each other, and the rest of the players can only hope to catch up.
Alexander Zverev wanted to be more competitive against Alcaraz
Alcaraz defeated Zverev 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to end the latter’s return to Flushing Meadows after two years in the quarter-final. Missing out the second half of 2022 after a horrific ankle injury, the German showed glimpses of getting back to his best in New York. Against Alcaraz, he started well, going neck-and-neck with the defending champion. Zverev had the first break points of the match with the first set balanced at 3-3 but failed to grab the chance to get into a lead.
The Spaniard had a break point of his own which he converted and then served out to win the set. For the first few games of the second set, Zverev looked to be putting up a fight as the score read 3-2 to Alcaraz. However, the World No.12 energy was completely sapped at that point and Alcaraz ran away with the match.
At the post-match press conference, Zverev was asked about the chances in the first set. He talked about missing a backhand when he had a breakpoint, wondering if he should have avoided that shot. He said Alcaraz played the important points well while he made some questionable decisions.
The German said even after losing the first set, he felt like he could make the match more competitive. However, he pinpointed the moment where he felt he did something wrong, saying there is not much you can do against an opponent like Alcaraz after that point.
“But I thought even though I lost first set I thought it was going to be a competitive match. I thought my level was there. I thought his level was there. I thought it was going to be a fun one. I think first or second game, I think first game already in the second set I felt something wrong. Then I didn’t give up, but there is very little you can do in a way against Carlos then.”
When asked what challenges Alcaraz poses to his rivals, Zverev answered that Djokovic is the only one realistically competing in the Spaniard’s league.
Djokovic and Alcaraz unparalleled believes Zverev
Alexander Zverev has played against both Alcaraz and Djokovic in the last couple of weeks. He faced the latter in the semi-final of the Cincinnati Open, losing in straight sets. The 2020 US Open finalist said that the duo play on a similar level to each other that no other player can match. He said that the top two of men’s tennis are in a league of their own, with the rest left catching up.
“I think they are very, very similar from the level of the game. There are some things that Novak does better; there are some things that Carlos does better. I think they are at a level of their own at the moment. Yeah, the other guys gotta catch up. That’s as simple as that.”
Zverev’s observation is not entirely incorrect. However, he, and other players, have been guilty of deifying the Big 3 so much so it acts like a mental barrier. Alcaraz leaves the idolization off the pitch which is why he is as successful as he is. Zverev is starting to get back to his best, to the level he was at before injury. He will hope to return to his days of seriously contending for titles soon. But for that, Zverev needs to keep that extra bit of respect aside.
